In Memory of… (Bullying, Rape, Slut-Shaming, and Rape Culture)

When I was twelve years old, I was bullied. A lot. One night, my mom had left to go to a party and I was in the house alone. I spent the evening in my room, probably reading a book or drawing. When my mom got in, she came down the hall almost angry and demanded of me what the hell all the stuff on the garage door was.

What stuff on the garage door?, I asked.

She led me outside.

In the orange street light glow, the garage door had been completely defaced – Christmas tree flock was sprayed all over it, spelling out “Bitch” and “Cunt” and “Skank” among other things. In a surreal touch, the person or persons who had done this had also cut out pieces of pink and blue construction paper in little circles and taped them (carefully, with a loop of tape on the…